What it was like to be an Ancient Greek
Published on 14. August 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
96 pages
978-0-00-870054-6 (ISBN)
Description
Blue Peter Award winning author David Long takes readers on a captivating exploration into the culture and legacy of ancient Greek civilisation.
Around 3,000 years ago, the ancient Greeks created one of the world's most advanced civilisations. While most worked as farmers and fishermen to feed their families, others studied hard to become brilliant astronomers, navigators, philosophers, artists and athletes. Then, under the rule of Alexander the Great, their language, art and ideas spread through an enormous empire that stretched from Egypt to India.
From the myths and legends of the gods atop Mount Olympus to the origin of marathon races, find out what life was really like in Ancient Greece in this fascinating new exploration from award-winning writer David Long.
Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.
Around 3,000 years ago, the ancient Greeks created one of the world's most advanced civilisations. While most worked as farmers and fishermen to feed their families, others studied hard to become brilliant astronomers, navigators, philosophers, artists and athletes. Then, under the rule of Alexander the Great, their language, art and ideas spread through an enormous empire that stretched from Egypt to India.
From the myths and legends of the gods atop Mount Olympus to the origin of marathon races, find out what life was really like in Ancient Greece in this fascinating new exploration from award-winning writer David Long.
Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.
Reviews / Votes
"An expert in distilling complex stories from the past into an informative and entertaining format for young readers, Long skilfully explains everything about the seven million people who lived in the land they named Hellas in this fact-packed and accessible introduction to a famous ancient civilisation ... From the myths and legends of the gods atop Mount Olympus to the origin of marathon races, youngsters will love finding out what life was really like in Ancient Greece." - Burnley Express"What I especially like about Long's introductions to these complex histories is that they are information heavy and largely forego unnecessary gimmicks or the bells and whistles that often come with factual books aimed at younger, more reluctant readers. Long allows the subject to stand for itself and trusts the reader to be fascinated by the clear narrative and excellent illustrations provided by Stefano Tambellini." - The Letterpress Project
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
HarperCollins Publishers
Target group
Children/juvenile
Reading Age: 8 years, Interest Age: From 9 years
Product notice
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Paperback (UK-B)
Illustrations
40 b/w, illus, (15 x large illustrations + 25 x small illustrations)
Dimensions
Height: 196 mm
Width: 132 mm
Thickness: 11 mm
Weight
168 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-00-870054-6 (9780008700546)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
David Long
What it was like to be an Ancient Greek
E-Book
08/2025
HarperCollins
€5.49
Available for download
Persons
David Long is a journalist and author of non-fiction for both adults and children. A writer since leaving university, his work has appeared in the Sunday Times and London's Evening Standard. His engaging non-fiction reflects his unquenchable thirst for fascinating stories from the past, and in 2017 his book Survivors won the Blue Peter Award for the best book with facts.